Freeport flips the script

No matter how the season ends for the Freeport boys’ basketball team, the program appears to be heading in the right direction. 

The team has split eight games following a 2-6 start to bring their win total to six, two more than their entire total from January 29, 2020, to the start of this season. And in three of their losses, the Red Devils (6-10, 2-7 Conference AAA-1) were leading at the end of the first quarter once and at halftime twice.

Freeport’s turnaround season is even more remarkable considering that first-year head coach Daryl Johnson was a late hire and didn’t have his group together until September. Even though the team’s chances of finishing .500 in divisional play officially ended with a 64-50 loss at Massapequa last Saturday and making the playoffs with just four games left would be a tall task, Johnson still sees exciting days ahead for the program. 

“I think we’ll be better next year than we are this year,” he said. “I didn’t get the job until August, and that’s late trying to teach them a new system, but going through this offseason will be great. It’ll be big.”

The team’s fortunes appeared to turn for the better with the return of senior Elijah Darby, who is back in Freeport after initially transferring to St. Francis Prep. The 6-foot-7 forward is averaging just over 15 points in his last six games, including 32 with 16 rebounds and three blocks in a 79-39 rout of Hicksville on Jan. 11, and Johnson believes he can get even better.

“Ejijah’s a big body,” Johnson said. “He’s probably one of the biggest kids in our league. He’s athletic [and] he’s a good jump shooter, but we want him to do a little more rebounding and follow up his shooting.”

Senior Jaylen Jean-Louis is averaging just over 10 points this season and his team-leading 16 against Massapequa was two shy of his season high set in Freeport’s second game of the year. Johnson also tried to use Jean-Louis’ 6-foot-1 frame to his advantage on defense.

“Jaylen’s been good,” Johnson said. “He’s definitely a scoring threat. He’s a bigger guard who can help guard the other team’s big forwards or he can guard the bigger guards.”

Seniors Latrell Tucker (7.3 ppg) and Jevon Saul (6.4) and junior Jayden Gordan (7.7) have provided the scoring depth. Johnson has helped Gordan improve his jumper and the guard could be a focal part of the team next season.

“He’s been coming into practice early,” Johnson said. “His shot has improved. [We’ve been] doing some individual work on his shooting with his extra time and that helped him as well.”

Senior Tristan Harper-Whethers has had some double-digit rebounding games and “electric” junior Shawn Broyles is a tenacious defender who is also looked upon to produce next season. Juilmi Perez has been a pleasant surprise off the bench after joining the team near the midway point of the season and fellow junior Roshad Channer has also shown potential on the floor.